Frankfort Beach kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot

United States · Michigan

Spot currently openIntermediate levelAltitude 174 m 44.63 | -86.25

Overview

Frankfort Beach is a kitesurf spot located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, in Benzie County, Michigan. This sandy beach offers direct west exposure on Lake Michigan, perfectly capturing the prevailing winds. The town of Frankfort, with its harbor and lighthouse, is a popular access point to Lake Michigan. The proximity of the Betsie River and Lake Betsie adds to the area's character. Frequent waves in west winds.

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Spot forecast for Frankfort Beach

Sunrise 08:07 · Sunset 18:52

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Frankfort Beach: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

274h

in October · 29.5 rideable days

The season runs from October to January, peaking in October: 28 rideable days a month and 274 hours of usable wind, at 6 °C. The low point is September, at 20 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 27.5 rideable days J February: 25 rideable days F March: 28 rideable days M April: 27 rideable days A May: 24.5 rideable days M June: 24.5 rideable days J July: 22.5 rideable days J August: 22 rideable days A September: 20 rideable days20 d S October: 29.5 rideable days29.5 d O November: 26.5 rideable days N December: 28.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 27.5 rideable days J February: 25 rideable days F March: 28 rideable days M April: 27 rideable days A May: 24.5 rideable days M June: 24.5 rideable days J July: 22.5 rideable days J August: 22 rideable days A September: 20 rideable days20 d S October: 29.5 rideable days29.5 d O November: 26.5 rideable days N December: 28.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 68%13-20 knots · 29%21-30 knots · 2%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 68% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -1 °C. The wettest month is June, with 132 mm.

Monthly averages: Frankfort Beach
Monthly averages — Frankfort Beach — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 27.5 272 h -1 °C 50 mm
February 25.0 253 h 1 °C 30 mm
March 28.0 311 h 6 °C 106 mm
April 27.0 315 h 11 °C 55 mm
May 24.5 238 h 17 °C 80 mm
June 24.5 263 h 22 °C 132 mm
July 22.5 211 h 24 °C 92 mm
August 22.0 217 h 23 °C 54 mm
September 20.0 171 h 21 °C 11 mm
October 29.5 274 h 15 °C 34 mm
November 26.5 257 h 7 °C 43 mm
December 28.5 272 h 1 °C 65 mm

Photo gallery of Frankfort Beach

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Technical details of Frankfort Beach spot

N: Rideable NNE: Rideable NE: Rideable ENE: Rideable E: Rideable ESE: Rideable SE: Rideable SSE: Rideable S: Rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Rideable NW: Rideable NNW: Rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Intermediate
On the water

Lake Michigan water body with full west exposure. West to northwest winds generate waves of 1 to 2 meters, sometimes more in storms. Excellent wave spot for the Great Lakes. Cold water — full wetsuit required except in midsummer. Sandy bottom with gradual slope. Longshore currents possible in strong winds.

Hazards

Longshore and rip currents possible in strong west winds. Cold Lake Michigan water with hypothermia risk. Boat traffic near Frankfort harbor and the channel leading to Lake Betsie — avoid the channel. Harbor jetties to avoid. Violent thunderstorms possible in summer with lightning risk. Commercial shipping offshore.

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Live

Frankfort, Frankfort Dow Memorial Field Airport3.8 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

  • BEAR20.5 km

    Readings reserved for Premium members

    source noaa

  • BEAR MI US20.5 km

    Readings reserved for Premium members

    source madis - NOAA

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Nearby spots

All spots: Michigan

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